Yea!! We survived another hiatus. Here's the last chapter. It's ASP's turn now. She owns it, I don't. Hope she makes us all happy.

Chapter Eleven

The week between Christmas and the start of the New Year flew. Lorelai spent most of her days with Rory and her evenings and nights with Luke. One of the nights was spent at Luke's taking down his tree. Lorelai carefully wrapped the angel in tissue and placed it in its box. Then Luke handed her the rest of the ornaments and she carefully placed them in boxes. While Luke dragged the small tree outside, Lorelai stored the boxes in the hall closet.

Luke came back to find Lorelai naked and smiling in his bed.

"Hey." Luke smiled as he started to unbutton his shirt. He didn't need any more of an invitation.

"Works done, time for play now."

"Have I every mentioned how much I like the way you think?"

"Have I ever mentioned that this going to bed early thing is really growing on me?" Lorelai smiled wickedly and patted his side of the bed.

Luke walked over to flip the light switch. Lorelai let out a small wolf whistle as Luke approached the bed.

"Thanks." Luke smiled as he joined her under the covers. Pulling her close he caught the faint scent of pine in her hair.

"You smell like a lumber jack."

Lorelai shot back, "You dress like one."

And soon the lumber jack jokes were forgotten and they were lost in each other.

Lorelai made a late night raid on the diner and soon returned with a huge piece of cheesecake.

"You know this relationship is really cutting into my profit margin."

"Oh, really…because I think I've been spending a lot less time downstairs."

"Less time downstairs when actual customers are there….a lot more time in the middle of the night."

"Is that a complaint? One of the few you mentioned earlier. Because well, I could spend a lot less time here, I could go….."

"Come here." Luke patted the empty bed. "I'm teasing. I'd much rather have you up here eating the profits than the way it used to be."

"Oh yeah, the teasing, the flirting."

"So you admit you were flirting."

"I was flirting, you were pining."

"I was not pining."

"I was not flirting."

They both laughed as Lorelai tried to balance her plate as she got back into bed. Luke finally grabbed it and wouldn't give it back until she had thoroughly thanked him.

"So did you get lonely while I was gone?"

"You were gone all of three minutes."

"Enough time to get cold and lonely."

"Actually I was thinking tomorrow night we need to do this again."

"Umm, sign me up."

"Not this, although that could be arranged." Luke laughed. "I mean tomorrow night we should tackle your tree."

"Oh, no, I need to keep it up a little longer. It's so pretty and my living room will be so lonely when it's gone."

"Your living room will not be lonely. Inanimate objects cannot be lonely. But tomorrow night is the last night I have free. The next two nights I have to do end of the year diner stuff -- inventory, financial records. So if you want me to help well, tomorrow night is it."

"Okay, but you have to bring dinner. Its going to be a very sad occasion…so sad I will need two desserts."

"Two desserts it is. Tomorrow night, about seven."

"Sure, if you insist."

Should I bring dinner for three?"

"No, Rory's spending the night with Lane. They've been working on some project. Not sure what it is but it's kept them busy for the last three nights."

"Thank her for me."

"Thank her for what?"

"She's been busy with Lane. I've gotten to hang out with you. Simple."

Luke took her empty plate and placed it on the night stand. He turned off the light and pulled her into his arms and he was softly snoring almost before she closed her eyes.

The next night he arrived at her door promptly at seven. He had to make two trips in from his truck to carry all of the bags.

"One trip for dinner, one for dessert?" Lorelai teased as he finally took off his jacket.

"Well, I'm going to be busy the next two nights and I wouldn't want you and Rory to starve."

"Once again ladies and gentleman, the perfect man." She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.

"Hey I just made two trips out in the cold…and before that I cooked this mess…I think I deserve more than that little wimpy kiss. It's not easy being perfect you know."

Lorelai giggled and threw her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly.

"Better." Luke wrapped his arms around her and kissed her back.

A few minutes later Lorelai whispered breathlessly, "So the tree could stay up a few more days."

Luke gently pushed her away. "That's not going to work. Tonight is the night. Dinner, dispose of the tree and then you can have a little more of this." Luke kissed her again and then headed into the kitchen.

"Spoil sport."

"Or we could leave it until tomorrow when you could do it all alone."

"Okay… tonight. But I am not happy."

"I promise to make you happy later."

"Promises, promises…."

"Cross my heart."

They quickly ate dinner in the kitchen and then headed to the living room to tackle the tree. Similar routine except it took much longer because Lorelai's tree was so much bigger and had dozens of ornaments.

Lorelai was pulling out the sweeper as Luke got ready to drag her big tree outside. He took a double take. She had pulled on her French maid's outfit and it was an enticing sight.

"Cute." Luke called as he opened the door. When he returned the sweeper and Lorelai had disappeared. He looked all over downstairs but she was nowhere to be found. He took the steps two at a time and finally found her in her bedroom…French maid's uniform and nothing else except some very high heeled shoes.

Luke reached up and pulled the little cap off her head letting her dark curls cascade down around her shoulders. Then he pulled the apron ties and let the whole outfit fall to the floor.

She giggled as he gently pushed her down on the bed. But soon her giggles turned into soft moans as he moved on top of her and then inside of her. He didn't waste anytime turning her soft moans into much louder ones. He didn't waste anytime bringing her to her absolute height of pleasure. Later as he held her close she asked, "Think anyone else needs their tree taken down? I think we have a heck of a good business opportunity here."

Luke laughed as he nuzzled her neck. "Anytime you feel the urge. We don't need any preliminaries. At least as far as I'm concerned."

She nuzzled back and quietly agreed.

The thirtieth was spent with Rory in Hartford, dinner with the parents. The atmosphere was frosty. Lorelai still upset with her mother about inviting Christopher for Christmas and Emily still angry about Lorelai and Luke sleeping together under her roof. That and the middle of the night departure of the couple. Rory and Lorelai made a hasty exit and spent the rest of the evening in front of the new television having a Sex In The City marathon. (Rory knew how to operate the electronic marvel.)

The last day of the year dawned overcast and cold. Lorelai was hoping for snow although it wasn't in the forecast. While she drove to the Dragonfly she smiled as random flakes began to fall. The whole place had been reserved for a New Years Eve party and she had to make sure everything was in order. By the time she got there, Sookie had already been cooking for hours. The guests starting checking in after lunch and by five they were already gathered in the parlor, drinks in hand and ready to party into the New Year. Lorelai slipped into her office to get ready for her own evening with Luke. She freshened her makeup, brushed her hair into loose curls and pulled on a little black dress, Luke's favorite actually.

The DJ had just started warming up when she turned to see Luke come through the door. He had on a turtleneck and a jacket and was carrying three red roses. Lorelai smiled as she walked to the entrance to greet him. Every time she caught sight of him lately made her heart flutter and certain urges start to gush.

"Wow, you look nice." She practically purred.

"Thanks. I see you have that killer dress on."

"Your favorite."

"Well, you know what they say about a little black dress."

"And what exactly would that be, Mr. Blackwell?"

"A little black dress is good for all occasions, little being the operative word."

Lorelai laughed and pushed him away. Luke surveyed the small crowd in the parlor and asked if she could get away yet.

"Yep, I'm ready. I have a little New Year's Eve surprise for you."

"But I have reservations in Hartford…."

"Cancelled."

"You cancelled my reservation?"

"For my little surprise."

Luke rolled his eyes as she handed him her coat.

"Might I ask where we are going? The driver needs to know where he is going."

"No driving necessary. It's a short walk actually."

"Lorelai we are close to nothing out here."

"You are so wrong. We're close to everything out here." Lorelai grabbed his hand and led him out the door.

Luke caught onto her little plan as they neared the door to the outside suite. He smiled as she unlocked the door. He hung up their coats and immediately felt the warmth of the roaring fire. The room was ablaze in candlelight and there was a table set for two in front of the fire. There was a champagne bucket next to the table….full of his favorite dark beer. She had thought of everything.

Luke wrapped his arms around her as she warmed her hands by the fire. He kissed the back of her head and whispered, "This is perfect. Much better than what I had planned."

"Not better just different. And we can be alone all night, our first New Year's Eve together."

There was a knock at the door and Luke watched as several men entered and filled the table full of food. As quickly as they had come they were gone. Luke helped Lorelai into her seat and took his own.

They raised their glasses and toasted to the New Year. It had been a long time since they had spent two days apart and conversation flowed all during dinner. When they finally left the table and sat down by the fire, there was another knock on the door. The men had returned to take away the dishes and leave dessert and some wine for later.

Lorelai left Luke's side for a few minutes and came back dressed in a lovely black lacey number. Luke smiled and teased that it was much too early to go to bed. It was still hours before midnight. Lorelai teased back that she was sure they could find a way to spend the time. And that when midnight came, that they would still be awake.

She pulled him over to the bed and slipped off his jacket. He smiled with delight as she slowly undressed him. He took his own delight in unzipping her black dress and watching it fall to the grown and then discovering that she wore nothing underneath. Luke pushed her gently down on the bed and caressed every part of her body. She always loved the feel of his rough hands on her body but tonight the sensations were ten fold. Tonight everything felt special and new and as he moved over her and then pressed deeply within her she moaned his name softly. Luke moved within her slowly at first, dipping gently but then it turned into deep thrusts and grinding with power and wonderful force. He called her name and at the last moment when they had both lost any semblance of control, he whispered I love you…more than life itself. She smiled because she had been thinking the exact same thing.

Making love when you are in love was a new experience for both of them. There had been others before but it had truly never been like this for either of them.

Luke slowly pulled out of her, leaving a necessary void. She missed him already, the feel of his weight upon her, his body within her. Lorelai clung to his body as his chest heaved and wrapped her leg over his thigh. They settled under the covers and gently petted each other and slowly recovered from their romp.

Lorelai started to protest when Luke got out of bed but he just laughed.

"Just leaving for one minute. Who would have thought you'd be such a demanding woman. Men don't like clingy woman you know."

"Yeah, I've noticed that." She laughed because Luke loved an after the event snuggle. They would stroke each other and whisper loving words. Sometimes they would even gently tease about how they had finally found each other after all the years of teasing and ranting and watching each other go about their separate lives. They called it eight long years of foreplay.

She watched his firm naked body get out of the bed. He was a beautiful man; handsome, rugged and hard bodied on the outside and tender and loving on the inside. She teased him often about being the perfect man. He knew she was teasing. He was as far from perfect as a man could be. But Lorelai knew she really wasn't teasing. Luke was the perfect man for her. Perfect with all his imperfections because Lord knows she had a thousand of her own.

Luke came back to bed with a bottle of wine and two glasses. They had, after much trial and error, found a wine they both enjoyed. It wasn't champagne but it was white and mild and special for them. Luke poured the wine while Lorelai plumped the pillows against the headboard so they could sit up. Luke handed her a glass and then got back into bed. He clinked his glass to hers and simply said, "To us and the New Year. I think it's only going to get better."

Lorelai smiled thinking there was no way it could get any better, And then out of nowhere, Luke pulled out a little green velvet box. Lorelai caught her breath…maybe there was a way after all.

Luke opened the box and she sighed. She smiled, then giggled, and her eyes shown with love.

"Lorelai I love you. You love me. And I'm damn tired of waiting. We're as ready as we'll ever be. You, me….we're good together. You make me happy and you well, seem to be able to tolerate me." He nervously laughed.

"You are very tolerable."

"I think we can make a good life together. God knows we've been floundering on our own long enough. Might as well combine forces and …."

"Luke."

"Just let me down easy if the answer is no."

"The answer, strangely silly romantic man, is yes."

"Really? I thought maybe when you really thought about it that you would be smart and run."

"Run from you? Are you kidding….you're my last chance."

Calmness prevailed finally as they smiled at each other. Neither knew what they were doing but both knew they had just made a huge promise to each other. And both being more than pleased about it all.

Luke slipped the ring on her finger and all Lorelai could do was admire his taste. Her silence worried him.

"If you don't like it we can pick a different one."

"No way. This is the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. Perfect just like you."

"I'm far from perfect but your ring should be."

Lorelai kissed him gently and whispered, "It is…because you picked it."

"It took me days. And several calls to Rory."

"So she knows?"

"Of course, had to ask someone's advice …and permission. Didn't seem right to ask your dad."

"Ahh, that's the sweetest thing I've ever heard."

"She says congratulations by the way."

Lorelai snuggled down into Luke's arms. She held her hand in the air so they could both check out the ring on her finger. At midnight Luke kissed her gently on the lips. As he moved over her and entered her once again, they locked eyes and whispered promises of love. And she smiled especially lovingly because she had a little life changing secret of her own……..

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Not the end...just the beginning…

Hope the bumps in the road ahead bring us to romantic nights that end in our wonderful couple being together forever.